My main goal:
I will be Bruce Lee, the highest paid celebrity in the United States. I will play the lead role in many blockbuster films of the most famous directors. I would be world famous starting in 1970, and by 1980 I would have accumulated $10,000,000. I will live the way I want, achieve inner harmony and be happy
Bruce Lee January 1969
Four years later, he showed his immortality to the world, and in those four years, he became a world-famous star who was able to change the history of martial arts and cinema, achieving great success beyond what he had planned. When you read Bruce's written goals, you can feel that he is imbued with self-belief. Where did he get this great self-confidence? We may never know the answer to this question. However, reading his collection of letters, The Dragon Letters and Wonderful Thoughts, you can dig up some of his answers. Let's read a letter he wrote 10 years before his death, when he was a student at the University of Washington, at the age of 21.
Dear Pearl
This letter may be difficult to understand. This is the expression of my dreams, my thoughts, my way of life, and because it is difficult to express all my feelings in writing, it will not come out clearly. However, I decided to write and let you know. I will try to write as clearly as possible. I hope you won't jump to conclusions before you finish reading my letter.
There are two ways to live a good life: one is the result of hard work and hard work, and the other is the result of imagination /requires work and effort/. Saving labor and money will lead to knowledge, experience and reputation. But I think abundance or wealth is a reward for a person's ability to think and think about things that no one has thought of before. The idea, this idea, is what America is looking for. Ideas are what made America what it is. A good idea can make a person who they want to be. An important part of my life is kung fu. This art changes me and has a strong influence on my behavior and thoughts. For me, kung fu is a form of physical exercise, a form of intellectual development, a way of self-defense, and a way of life. Kung-fu is the best of the martial arts, and currently, in America, only judo and karate, which are the basis of kung-fu, are more popular. But no one knows about kung-fu, so there are no teachers, instructors and trainers with the knowledge of this art. I am confident that I will become the first teacher by dedicating many years of hard work to this art. However, it will definitely take a long time to perfect your technique, tricks, and personality. However, I set myself the goal of establishing the first kung-fu school and institute with branches all over America in the future. /this operation will take 10-15 years/ My goal is not to make a lot of money. I have many motivations to start it. In this, I want to introduce this great Chinese art to the world. I love teaching and helping people. I want to support my family and provide money. I like to create and build something. Last but not least, kung fu is a part of my soul. I know that my thoughts are right. So I am fully confident that I will get good results. Not because I want rewards or success, but because I want to work and set in motion the mechanism that will lead to all of that. My effort will be the measure of my success and reward. From Dr. Charles P. Steimetz, before his death, - "Which branch of science will make the most progress in the next 25 years?" When asked, he replied, "Intellectual development and understanding lead to progress." When a person realizes the intelligence within himself and can use its great power, he can achieve unimaginable progress in all areas of science, business and life. I feel that creative intellectual power within me. This power is stronger than hope, desire for glory, love of faith, determination, and foresight, and is a great combination of all these. Summons the power of dominion in my brain and in my hands. Right now, I can imagine the future in my mind, I can foresee. I'm dreaming /real dreamers never give up/. Now I have only a small room in the basement, but when I was in my highest and most complete imagination, I saw on the picture plane of my mind a palace of Kung Fu, five or six stories high, luxurious buildings, with many branches spread across America. It's hard to stop me. I will overcome all obstacles and misfortunes and achieve my "impossible" goals. God or not, I feel this great, unwavering power, this movement. Indescribable, incomparable knowledgeis being occupied. It's like a strong emotion woven into a kind of faith, but something much stronger. My greatest desire, plan and goal is to find the true meaning of life and to find peace of mind. I think Taoism and Zen teachings will make a valuable contribution to this. Maybe, people say that I overestimated my success. But not so. My will comes from my knowledge, so I can do it. I just need to be myself, and there is no fear or doubt in my mind. Pearl, success comes only to those who have it in their minds. No one, without concentrating on something, can get it. Wish you all the best. Bruce.